Save Siang
Siang Upper Multipurpose Project: Facts, Myths & the Reality
SUMP stands for Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. It is a proposed water-storage project on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh. It was declared a National Project by the Government of India in 2008.
Where things stand
Still at the study stage
The government has made it clear that the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) will show whether the project is feasible, where it could be built and how much land would be needed. Doing the PFR does not mean the project has been approved.
The government has assured that if people do not want the project after the PFR, it stops right there.
Step 1: the PFR
3 to 6 months
Now
Step 2: the studies
2 to 3 years
Only if the PFR finds the project workable and the site suitable.
Step 3: the DPR
3 to 4 years
If the project goes ahead.
Step 4: construction
14 to 15 years
If the project goes ahead after all these steps.
Start with your question
The questions people ask
The government's position
What the government has assured and made clear
- Further steps happen only if the PFR finds the project workable. The government has also assured that if people do not want the project after the PFR, it will stop right there, with no further action.
- The government has assured that it will make the PFR’s findings public and hold detailed discussions with all areas likely to be affected.
- The government has made it clear that public consultations are mandatory for land acquisition.
- If the project goes ahead after the PFR, the government has assured that land compensation rates will be attractive, and higher than present rates.
Why SUMP?
Power is not protection
Higher generation capacity gives no protection against a sudden release or diversion of water by China. SUMP’s proposed storage is meant to guard against sudden releases. That is why storage is SUMP’s main purpose and power is secondary. These are estimates, and SUMP is still at the PFR (study) stage.
Why store water?
China is building a huge dam upstream on the same river. A reservoir on the Siang is meant to guard against a sudden release of water from it and keep a steady flow in the dry months.
Why “multipurpose”?
It combines water storage, flood management and electricity, but storage comes first: about 9.2 billion cubic metres, roughly 1.7 times what China’s Medog dam is expected to hold. Power, about 11,200 megawatts, is secondary. These figures are estimates while the design is being studied.
Video · Hindi voice, English subtitles
How can 11,200 MW hold against 60,000 MW?
The video ends by asking for comments. Comments and questions go on our Facebook page.
Have a question?
Ask us. We will answer with facts. If the answer is not known yet, we will say so.